WO2014158491A1 - Système d'assemblage d'une carrosserie de véhicule - Google Patents

Système d'assemblage d'une carrosserie de véhicule Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2014158491A1
WO2014158491A1 PCT/US2014/017305 US2014017305W WO2014158491A1 WO 2014158491 A1 WO2014158491 A1 WO 2014158491A1 US 2014017305 W US2014017305 W US 2014017305W WO 2014158491 A1 WO2014158491 A1 WO 2014158491A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
component
roof component
roof
assembly line
welding station
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2014/017305
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John Doll
Rhett Chapman
Zach Olding
Kevin Comerford
Original Assignee
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. filed Critical Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Publication of WO2014158491A1 publication Critical patent/WO2014158491A1/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D65/00—Designing, manufacturing, e.g. assembling, facilitating disassembly, or structurally modifying motor vehicles or trailers, not otherwise provided for
    • B62D65/02—Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components
    • B62D65/022—Transferring or handling sub-units or components, e.g. in work stations or between workstations and transportation systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
    • B62D25/06—Fixed roofs
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D65/00—Designing, manufacturing, e.g. assembling, facilitating disassembly, or structurally modifying motor vehicles or trailers, not otherwise provided for
    • B62D65/02—Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components
    • B62D65/024—Positioning of sub-units or components with respect to body shell or other sub-units or components
    • B62D65/026—Positioning of sub-units or components with respect to body shell or other sub-units or components by using a jig or the like; Positioning of the jig
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D65/00—Designing, manufacturing, e.g. assembling, facilitating disassembly, or structurally modifying motor vehicles or trailers, not otherwise provided for
    • B62D65/02—Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components
    • B62D65/18—Transportation, conveyor or haulage systems specially adapted for motor vehicle or trailer assembly lines
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49616—Structural member making
    • Y10T29/49622—Vehicular structural member making
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
    • Y10T29/49828—Progressively advancing of work assembly station or assembled portion of work
    • Y10T29/49829—Advancing work to successive stations [i.e., assembly line]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
    • Y10T29/53313—Means to interrelatedly feed plural work parts from plural sources without manual intervention
    • Y10T29/53365—Multiple station assembly apparatus
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
    • Y10T29/53313—Means to interrelatedly feed plural work parts from plural sources without manual intervention
    • Y10T29/53383—Means to interrelatedly feed plural work parts from plural sources without manual intervention and means to fasten work parts together
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
    • Y10T29/534—Multiple station assembly or disassembly apparatus
    • Y10T29/53409—Multiple station assembly or disassembly apparatus including converging conveyors
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
    • Y10T29/534—Multiple station assembly or disassembly apparatus
    • Y10T29/53417—Means to fasten work parts together
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
    • Y10T29/53539—Means to assemble or disassemble including work conveyor
    • Y10T29/53543—Means to assemble or disassemble including work conveyor including transporting track
    • Y10T29/53548—Means to assemble or disassemble including work conveyor including transporting track and work carrying vehicle

Definitions

  • a body assembly line including a plurality of stations in which the vehicle body is assembled and forwarded as the assembly work proceeds.
  • the major components of the vehicle body are formed of low carbon steel or steel-based alloy panels that are welded together in the general welder (i.e., a station wherein primary welding operations are performed to connect the vehicle body components to create the body-in-white body).
  • a system for assembling a vehicle comprises a first assembly line and a second assembly line separate from the first assembly line.
  • the first assembly line has a plurality of first stations including at least one first welding station for welding first structural components that define a portion of a vehicle body.
  • the first structural components are formed of a first material.
  • the second assembly line receives the portion of the vehicle body from the first assembly line.
  • the second assembly line has a plurality of second stations including at least one second welding station.
  • the second assembly line is adapted to secure a second structural component to the first structural components.
  • the second structural component is formed of one of the first material and a second material.
  • the second assembly line is configured such that the second component is one of welded to the first components in the second welding station when the second component is formed of the first material and fastened to the first components in the second welding station when the second component is formed of the second material.
  • a system for assembling a vehicle body comprises a first assembly line, a second assembly line and a third assembly line.
  • the first assembly line has a plurality of first stations, including at least one first welding station configured to assemble first structural components that define a body component of a vehicle body.
  • the body component is formed of a steel or steel-based alloy.
  • the second assembly line is separate from the first assembly line and receives the body component from the first assembly line.
  • the second assembly line has a plurality of second stations, including at least one second welding station.
  • the second assembly line is adapted to secure a roof component to the body component.
  • the roof component is formed of one of a steel or steel-based alloy and an aluminum or aluminum-based alloy.
  • the second assembly line is configured such that the roof component is one of welded to the body component in the second welding station when the roof component is formed of a steel or steel-based alloy and fastened to the body component in the second welding station when the roof component is formed of an aluminum or aluminum-based alloy.
  • the third assembly line is separate from the first and second assembly lines and is configured to set the roof component on a roof component jig and transfer the roof component jig, together with the roof component mounted thereon, to the second welding station of the second assembly line for attaching the roof component to the body component.
  • a method of assembling a vehicle body comprises assembling a body component formed of steel or a steel-based alloy in a first assembly line; transferring the body component to a separate second assembly line for securing a roof component to the body component; positioning the roof component on a roof component jig; positioning the body component on a body component fixture; transferring the roof component jig having the roof component mounted thereon to a welding station of the second assembly line; setting the roof component jig in position relative to the body component fixture in the welding station; one of installing a plurality of bolts between the body component and roof component in the welding station and tightening the plurality of bolts when the roof component is formed of aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy or welding the roof component to the body component when the roof component is formed of a steel or steel-based alloy; transferring the body component with the roof component mounted thereon to a second welding station of the second assembly line; and further tightening the plurality of bolts when the roof component is formed
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a system for assembling a vehicle body, including a first assembly line, a second assembly line separate from the first assembly line, and a third assembly line separate from the first and second assembly lines.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of three stations of the second assembly line, a leftmost body station for receiving an assembled portion of the vehicle body from the first assembly line, and a pair of welding stations.
  • FIG. 3 is a view of a first robot-guided handling device configured to transport a roof component from a cart provided in the third assembly line.
  • FIG. 4 is a view of the first robot-guided handling device of FIG. 3 setting the roof component on a roof component fixture provided in the third assembly line.
  • FIG. 5 is a view of a second robot-guided handling device including a roof component jig configured to have mounted thereto the roof component.
  • FIGS. 6A-6C depicts an alignment mechanism operably associated with the second robot-guided handling device of FIG. 5 for moving and aligning the roof component on the roof component jig.
  • FIG. 7 is a view of the leftmost body station of FIG. 2 with the vehicle body portion.
  • FIG. 9 is a view of the vehicle body portion positioned in the center welding station of FIG. 2.
  • FIG. 10 is a view of the roof component jig of FIG. 5 mounted to a fixture of the welding station of FIG. 9.
  • FIGS. 1 1A-1 1 E depict the mounting and alignment of the roof component jig on the fixture of FIG. 10.
  • FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the second robot-guided handling device of FIG. 5 together with a pair of roof component jigs.
  • FIG. 13 is a front view of FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 14 is a side view of FIG. 12.
  • FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the portion of the second robot-guided handling device together with the roof component jigs of FIG. 12 mounted on the fixture of FIG. 10.
  • FIGS. 15A-15C depict the mounting and alignment of the roof component jigs to the fixture of FIG. 15.
  • FIG. 16 is a view of a welder located in each of the welding stations of the second assembly line of FIG. 2 for securing the roof component to the vehicle body portion.
  • lateral directions are transverse across the vehicle body, i.e., left and right directions.
  • longitudinal directions refer to forward and rearward directions of the vehicle body, and the vertical directions relate to elevation, i.e., upward and downward directions.
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a system 100 for assembling a vehicle body, according to the present disclosure.
  • the system 100 generally includes a first assembly line 102, a second assembly line 104 separate from the first assembly line, and a third assembly line 106 separate from each of the first and second assembly lines 102, 104.
  • the first assembly line has a plurality of first stations 1 10, including at least one first welding station 1 12 for welding first structural components that define a portion 120 of a vehicle body 122 (see FIG 2).
  • the at least one welding station can be a plurality of welding stations 1 12 in the first assembly line 102.
  • the first structural components of the vehicle body portion 120 are body component, for example, left and right side panels, that are welded to a vehicle frame.
  • the first structural components are formed of a first material such as a steel or steel- based alloy.
  • the second assembly line 104 is separate from the first assembly line 102 and receives the assembled portion 120 of the vehicle body 122 from the first assembly line.
  • the second assembly line has a plurality of second stations 130. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of second stations can include a body station 132 for receiving the vehicle body portion 120 and at least one second welding station 134.
  • the at least one second welding station 134 can include welding station 136 located immediately downstream of the body station 132 and secondary welding station 138 located immediately downstream of the welding station 136.
  • the second assembly line 104 is adapted to secure a second structural component (i.e. a roof component 140) to the first structural components (i.e., body components 120) that define the vehicle body 122.
  • the second structural component 140 can be formed of one of the first material similar to the first structural components and a second material, which can be an aluminum or aluminum-based alloy.
  • the third assembly line 106 is configured to transfer the second component or roof component 140 to the second welding station 136 of the second assembly line 104 for attaching the roof component 140 to the body component 120.
  • the roof component 140 can be auto-loaded into a cart 150 and the cart together with the roof component 140 is transported to a cart lock station 152 located in the third assembly line 106.
  • the cart 150 is provided with a frame structure 154 having a pair of spaced uprights 156, 158 interconnected by a base member 160.
  • a mechanism 162 which supports the roof component 140 in the cart 150.
  • the cart lock station 152 is configured to locate the cart 150 to a fixed position for transport.
  • a first robot-guided handling device 166 is configured to transport the roof component 140 from the cart 150 to a roof component fixture 170 (FIG. 4).
  • the first robot-guided handling device 166 can be provided with a suction mechanism 172 which allows the first robot-guided handling device 166 to releasably engage the roof component 140 and remove the roof component from the cart 150.
  • FIG. 4 depicts the roof component 140 auto-loaded onto the roof component fixture 170 via the first robot-guided handling device 166.
  • the roof component fixture 170 includes a base 174 having mounted thereon a pair of first alignment mechanisms 176.
  • Each first alignment mechanism 176 is configured to locate and align the roof component 140 both laterally and longitudinally on the roof component fixture 170. More particularly, the first robot-guided handling device 166 positions the roof component 140 generally flat on the roof component fixture 170.
  • One of the first alignment mechanisms 176 will first advance a lateral pusher to position the roof component 140 laterally on the roof component fixture 170.
  • One of the first alignment mechanisms 176 will next advance at least one longitudinal pusher to longitudinally align the roof component 140 on the roof component fixture 170.
  • a second robot-guided handling device 180 is configured to move the roof component 140 to the welding station 136 of the second assembly line 104.
  • the second robot-guided handling device 180 is equipped with at least one roof component jig 182 configured to have mounted thereto the roof component 140 and a second alignment mechanism 184 configured to move and align the roof component 140 on the at least one roof component jig 182.
  • the second alignment mechanism 184 includes a first pusher for moving the roof component 140 in a first direction on the roof component jig 182 and a second pusher for moving the roof component 140 in a second direction, which is transverse to the first direction, on the roof component jig 182. More particularly, FIGS. 6A-6C depict pushers of the second alignment mechanism 184 for aligning the roof component 140 on the roof component jig 182.
  • FIG. 6A shows a pusher 186 of the second alignment mechanism 184 which can engage and position front flange of the roof component 140 on the roof component jig 182.
  • FIG. 6B depicts a pusher 188 of the second alignment mechanism 184 which can engage and position a rear flange of the roof component 140 on the roof component jig 182.
  • FIG. 6C depicts a pusher 190 of the second alignment mechanism 184 which can advance to set the lateral position of the roof component 140 on the roof component jig 182.
  • the vehicle body portion 120 assembled in the first assembly line 102 (i.e., the first structural components) is transferred to the body station 132 of the second assembly line 104 via a transfer mechanism 206.
  • the transfer mechanism 206 positions the vehicle body over a body fixture 200 provided in the body station 132 for receiving the vehicle body portion 120.
  • the body component 120 can be set to the body fixture 200 simultaneously with movement of the roof component 140 to the roof component jig 182.
  • the body fixture 200 is provided with an alignment mechanism including a plurality of locating pins 202 which can be received in corresponding recesses 204 located on the vehicle body portion 120 (FIG 8A).
  • a lift assembly 208 associated with the transfer mechanism 206 drops the vehicle body portion 120 downwardly on top of the pins 202.
  • the pins 202 now positioned in the recesses 204 are configured to clamp to the vehicle body portion 204.
  • a pair of pushers 210 are provided in the body station 132 which can advance toward the vehicle body portion 120 and laterally align the vehicle body portion on the body fixture 200 (FIG 8B).
  • a robot 220 Further provided in the body station 132 is a robot 220 configured to apply one of a seal to a roof opening 222 of the vehicle body 122 when the roof component 140 is formed of the first material and an adhesive to the roof opening 222 when the roof component 140 is formed of the second material.
  • the lift mechanism 208 lifts the vehicle body portion 120 off of the locating pins 202 and the transfer mechanism 206 transfers the vehicle body portion 120 to the welding station 136.
  • FIG. 9 depicts the vehicle body portion 120 secured on a body fixture 230 located in the welding station 136. Similar to the body fixture 200 provided at the body station 132, the body fixture 230 includes locating pins (not shown) which are received in the recesses 204 provided on the vehicle body portion 120. A pair of pushers (not shown, similar to pushers 210) can advance toward the vehicle body portion 120 and laterally align the vehicle body portion on the body fixture 230. A second fixture 232 is provided in the welding station 136 and flanks the vehicle body portion 120. As best illustrated in FIG. 15, the second fixture 232 is formed of a plurality of frame members, including spaced vertical frame members 234 having upper end portions 236 and lower end portions 238.
  • Each upper end portion 236 of the vertical frame members 234 includes a vertical support member 240.
  • the lower end portion 238 of each vertical frame member 234 is connected to an L-shaped frame member 250.
  • Each L-shaped member 250 has one end portion 252 mounted to a support surface and the other end portion 254 mounted to a base frame assembly 260.
  • Transverse frame members 262 interconnect the longitudinally spaced vertical support members 240 and angled frame members 264 interconnect the vertical support members 240 and the end portions 252 of the L-shaped frame members 250.
  • the vehicle body portion 120 is transferred from the body station 132 to the welding station 136 and is set to the body fixture 230.
  • a pusher 270 (FIG. 15C) is mounted to one of the vertical frame members 234 of the second fixture 232 and is configured to laterally align the vehicle body portion 120 within the second fixture 232.
  • the pusher 270 can include a geared drive mechanism 272 at least partially housed in a housing 274 for moving engagement members or clamps 276 adapted to engage and move the vehicle body portion 120.
  • the second robot-guided handling device 180 is configured to move the roof component jig 182 together with the roof component 140 aligned thereon to the welding station 136 of the second assembly line 104 and set the roof component jig 182 in position relative to the second fixture 232.
  • the vertical support members 240 of the second fixture 232 are adapted to have releasably mounted thereon the roof component jig 182.
  • the roof component jig 182 is releasably connected to the vertical support members 240 by at least one locating pin extending from the roof component jig 182 and being received in at least one opening provided on at least one of the vertical support members 240. Particularly, and with reference to FIG.
  • each roof component jig includes an elongated bar 280 having a first end portion 282 and a second end portion 284.
  • a first mounting plate 286 is secured to the first end portion 282 and a second mounting plate 288 is secured to the second end portion 284.
  • a locating pin 290 is secured to and projects downwardly from each first mounting plate 286.
  • a spacer member 292 is secured beneath each second mounting plate 288.
  • each of the vertical support member 240 mounted to the vertical frame members 234 includes an extension 300.
  • the extensions 300 are engaged by the first and second end portions 282, 284 of the bars 280 of the roof component jigs 182 (FIGS. 15A and 15B). More particularly, the extensions 300 engaged by the first end portions 282 are provided with openings 302 extending therethrough. The openings 302 are dimensioned to receive the locating pins 290 (FIG. 1 1A). The extensions 300 engaged by the second end portions 284 are provided with spacer member 304 which engages the spacer members 292 provided on the roof component jig 182 (FIG. 1 1 B).
  • the second robot-guided handling device 180 further includes suction devices 310 connected to a main body 312 for releasably engaging the roof component 140.
  • suction devices 310 connected to a main body 312 for releasably engaging the roof component 140.
  • each of the roof component jigs 182 are secured to the main body 312 and are oriented transverse to a longitudinal axis of the main body.
  • a plurality of engagement fingers 316 which operably associated with the second alignment mechanism 184.
  • the engagement fingers 316 are moveable relative to the base 312 and assist in the alignment of the roof component 140 on the roof component jigs 182.
  • a secondary pusher or actuator 318 associated with the second alignment mechanism 184 is located beneath the main body 312 for aligning the roof component 140 on the roof component jigs 182 (see FIG 14).
  • the second robot-guided handling device 180 further includes a plurality of clamp mechanisms 320 mounted to opposite end portions of the main body 312.
  • each clamp mechanism 320 includes a piston 322 having a first finger 324 moveably mounted thereon. Actuation of the piston 322 causes the first finger 324 to move away from a stationary second finger 326. As shown in FIGS. 1 1 D and 1 1 E, the clamp mechanisms 320 clamp to front and rear portions of the roof component 140 after the vacuum is released from each of the suction devices 310 (see FIG 1 1 C).
  • the second robot-guided handling device 180 sets the roof component jigs 182 together with the roof component 140 to the vertical support members 240 provided on the vertical frame members 234 of the second fixture 232 of the welding station 136. Once properly secured to the second fixture 232, the second robot-guided handling device 180 releases the vacuum for each of the suction devices 310 and actuates the pistons 322 of the clamp mechanisms 320 so that the roof component 140 is pinched between the engagement fingers 324 and the supports 326. At this time, as is shown in FIG.
  • a plurality of weld robots 340 enter the weld station 136 and weld the roof component 140 to the vehicle body portion 120 when the roof component is of the same material as the vehicle body portion 120 (i.e., the first material) or secures the roof component 140 to the vehicle body portion 120 via a plurality of fasteners (not shown) when the roof component 140 is formed of a material different than the material of the vehicle body portion (i.e., the second material).
  • the vehicle body 122 is then transferred to the welding station 138 immediately downstream from the welding station 136.
  • the second assembly line 104 is configured to finish weld the second component 140 to the first components 120 of the vehicle body 122 in the welding station 138.
  • the second assembly line is configured to further fasten the second component to the first components of the vehicle body 122 in the welding station 138.
  • the second and third assembly lines 104, 106 are configured to facilitate vehicles having aluminum roof components secured to steel bodies via bolting and steel roof components secured to steel bodies (via welding).
  • Benefits provided by the exemplary system 100 is the provision of additional process time to allow for an increase in spot welding capacity for improved body rigidity and the provision of a flexible solution for joining an aluminum roof component 140 to a steel vehicle body 122 outside the existing first assembly line 102.
  • the roof component 140 will be auto- loaded into the cart 150 at the roof assembly line 106.
  • the cart 150 will be transported and set into the cart lock station 152.
  • the first robot-guided handling device 166 will pick up the roof component 140 from the cart and move the same to the roof component fixture 170.
  • the roof component fixture 170 will position the roof component 140 using the first alignment mechanism 176.
  • the second robot-guided handling device 180 will align the roof component on the roof component jig 182 and move the roof component jig 182 with the roof component 140 secured therein to the welding station 136 for attaching the roof component to the vehicle body 122.
  • the vehicle body 122 is set to the body fixture 200 in the body station 132. If the roof component 140 is formed of the second material, the robot 220 applies adhesive to the roof opening 22 at the body station.
  • the roof component 140 from the second robot-guided handling device 180 which is secured in the roof component jig 182 is set in position relative to the vehicle body 122, and particularly the second fixture 232.
  • the roof component 140 is precisely positioned on the roof component jig 182 and the vehicle body is precisely positioned relative to the second fixture 232, only the roof component jig 182 and second fixture 232 need be aligned for precisely positioning the roof component 140 on the vehicle body portion 120.
  • the roof component 140 is secured to the vehicle body portion 120.
  • the roof component 140 is an aluminum component
  • the roof component is bolted to the vehicle body 122 by installing a plurality of bolts from an underside of the roof component 140 along the adhesive application areas.
  • the roof component 140 is a steel roof component
  • the roof component is welded to the vehicle body 122.
  • the vehicle body portion 120 with the roof component 140 secured thereto can be advanced to the welding station 138 at which the bolts can be tightened for an aluminum roof component or the roof component can be re-spot welded if a steel roof component.
  • the present disclosure provides an exemplary method of assembling a vehicle body 122 comprising assembling a body component 120 formed of steel or a steel-based alloy in a first assembly line 102; transferring the body component 120 to a separate second assembly line 104 for securing a roof component 140 to the body component 120; positioning the roof component 140 on a roof component jig 182; positioning the body component 120 on a body component fixture 230, 232; transferring the roof component jig 182 having the roof component 140 mounted thereon to a welding station 136 of the second assembly line 104; setting the roof component jig 182 in position relative to the body component fixture 230, 232 in the welding station; one of installing a plurality of bolts (not shown) between the body component 120 and roof component 140 in the welding station 136 and tightening the plurality of bolts when the roof component 140 is formed of aluminum or an aluminum-based alloy or welding the roof component 140 to the body component 120 when the roof component 140 is
  • the exemplary method of assembling the vehicle body 122 further comprises applying an adhesive to the body component 120 when the roof component 140 is formed of an aluminum or aluminum-based alloy prior to the setting the roof component jig 182; and clamping the roof component jig 182 to the body component 120 after the setting of the roof component jig 182 in position relative to the body component fixture 230, 232.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Automatic Assembly (AREA)
  • Automobile Manufacture Line, Endless Track Vehicle, Trailer (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système d'assemblage d'un véhicule comprenant une première chaîne d'assemblage ayant une pluralité de premiers postes, comprenant un poste de soudure permettant la soudure des premiers composants de structure qui définissent une partie de carrosserie du véhicule. Les premiers composants de structure sont réalisés à partir d'un premier matériau. La seconde chaîne d'assemblage reçoit la partie de carrosserie de véhicule en provenance de la première chaîne d'assemblage et a une pluralité de seconds postes, comprenant un second poste de soudure dans lequel un second composant de structure est assujetti au niveau des premiers composants de structure. Le second matériau de structure est réalisé à partir du premier matériau ou d'un second matériau. La seconde chaîne d'assemblage est configurée de sorte que le second composant est l'un parmi soudé au niveau des premiers composants dans le second poste de soudure quand le second composant est réalisé à partir du premier matériau et attaché aux premiers composants dans le second poste de soudure quand le second composant est réalisé à partir du second matériau.
PCT/US2014/017305 2013-03-14 2014-02-20 Système d'assemblage d'une carrosserie de véhicule WO2014158491A1 (fr)

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US13/828,132 2013-03-14
US13/828,132 US9132872B2 (en) 2013-03-14 2013-03-14 System for assembling a vehicle body

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WO2014158491A1 true WO2014158491A1 (fr) 2014-10-02

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